Bhubaneswar: More collaboration and cooperation to strengthen socio-cultural and economic ties between Odisha and Japan were mooted at the “Odisha Festival” held in Japan recently.
Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Science and Technology, SSEPD called upon for substantial exchange programmes and collaboration in the fields of Biotechnology, cultural development and education.
Addressing the goodwill gathering organised by the Odisha Cultural Society, Japan, Panda said that Odias and Japanese have similarities in lifestyle and food habits. Both have displayed extraordinary resilience to mitigate problems.
Panda also spoke on Dhauligiri, the peace Pagoda in Odisha which celebrated the Golden Jubilee Celebration of “Shanti Stupa” in October last year.
Former Professor at Kiyoto University Dr Kazunobu Mitsuda spoke on the plausibility of a cultural thread linking Odisha and Japan in its historical context.
Screening of the Odia movie “Kalira Atita”, Classical Odissi Dance by Ms Yumiko Hananomiya and Ms Sachiko Murakami and traditional folk dance of Odisha by Mahaveer Sanskrutika Anusthan, Kalahandi were presented.
An exhibition of tourism products, handicrafts and handlooms was also part of the event.
Among others, Sujit Kumar, Member, Rajyasabha; Linguist and Scholar Padmasri Dr Tomio Mizokami; Osaka Kobe, Consulate General of India in Japan; Debi Prasad Mishra, Former Minister and MLA, Badamba; and Padmasri Nilamadhab Panda, eminent Film Director participated in the programme.
The organisers of the three-part programme also plan to have more such events in the coming days.
